Luck of the Irish: 7 Recipes for St. Patrick's Day

March 7, 2020

When the calendar flips to March 17, everyone feels a little Irish. Whether your ancestors hail from Ireland or you simply wear green to celebrate, you don’t have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day food. From traditional favorites, such as corned beef and cabbage to green-hued foods, these recipes are sure to feel magical when served to your family or friends.

In Iowa, we’re in luck when it comes to high-quality food. The state’s farmers put great care into responsibly producing soybeans, pork, corn, beef, dairy, eggs and turkey. The high-quality, delicious and nutritious products raised on Iowa farms have everyone's eyes smiling.

Like a Leprechaun finding a pot of gold, we love the foods of St. Patrick’s Day,

With protein-packed pork, beef and dairy, nothing will stand in your way,

The nutrients from corn, eggs, turkey and soy,

Will give you the good fortune of feeling joy,

A little jig you’ll do, to celebrate everything Irish today!

We’ve pulled together some festive recipes to celebrate this unofficial spring holiday.

Please note, by clicking the following links, you’ll be leaving a partially funded checkoff site.

Classic Beef Reuben Sandwich | Iowa Beef Industry Council

If St. Patrick’s Day had a food mascot, it would likely be corned beef. In this Classic Beef Reuben sandwich, thinly sliced deli corned beef (or pastrami) is layered between rye bread with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and tangy homemade Thousand Island dressing. Both corned beef and pastrami are from beef brisket. Both cuts of beef are cured, and the cooking process differs after the curing. Corned beef is boiled while pastrami is smoked. Find the recipe here. To turn this recipe into an appetizer, make Reuben Bites.

Scott’s Scotch Eggs | American Egg Council & Iowa Egg Council

To eat like the Irish, try Scotch eggs. In this recipe, a whole soft or hard-boiled egg is wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs, baked and served with a Dijon mustard and mayonnaise sauce. Since their inception, Irish people have embraced these eggs, even though many historians say that Scotch eggs originated in England in the 19th century. They were originally covered in fish paste rather than sausage meat and named after a well-known eatery. With 20 grams of protein in every serving, they are a satisfying and celebratory treat! Find the recipe here. This recipe for Avocado-licious Deviled Eggs is also sure to be a hit on St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the year!

Avocado Yogurt Soup | DairyGood & Midwest Dairy

This recipe for Avocado Yogurt Soup is like finding a pot of liquid green gold at the end of the rainbow. Creamy and dreamy, this cold soup is delightfully scrumptious. Infused with dill, mint and lemon, it's an explosion of flavor. Like avocados, yogurt is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help keep you healthy. Find the recipe here. For an easy, on-the-go recipe, make an Avocado Mango Smoothie Bowl.

Jade Hummus with Pita Crisps | The Soyfoods Council

This jewel of a recipe hits the flavor jackpot! Edamame is paired with cumin, coriander, garlic, parsley, lemon juice and tahini. Cumin complements edamame with its earthy, nutty, spicy taste and undertones of a warm, penetrating aroma with hints of lemon. Paired with homemade pita chips, this recipe hits all the right notes for deliciousness. Find the recipe here. Edamame and Tan Soybean Spread is another festive side dish.

Apple Sweet and Sour Brats | Iowa Pork Producers Association

According to folklore, eating pork and sauerkraut in the new year symbolizes good luck. With this dish, extend the good fortune throughout the entire year! Apple Sweet and Sour Brats are perfect for a lucky March day when it’s warm enough to fire up the grill. Cabbage is a staple of popular Irish dishes. Turning cabbage into sauerkraut makes it a magical pairing for pork brats. Find the recipe here. Try Fried Cabbage, which is St. Patrick's Day side dish (that isn't truly fried!), where bacon drippings add savory flavor.

Dubliner Shepherd’s Pie | Iowa Turkey Federation

Shepherd's Pie recipe is the quintessential St. Patrick's Day meal. Shepherd's pie, or cottage pie, as it's known in Britain, is believed to have existed since around 1791, when potatoes became an abundant and affordable crop. The dish was a delicious way to stretch leftover roasted meat. A menu mainstay at many Irish pubs, the variations are as hearty as the dish. In this recipe, protein-rich turkey is surrounded in the cooking vessel by colorful vegetables, mashed potatoes and fragrant herbs. Find the recipe here. For another option, where green is the signature color, and turkey is the star of the show, enjoy Turkey Summer Rolls with Cilantro Peanut Dipping Sauce.

Slow Cooker Bacon Potato Corn Chowder | Lisa Longley and Iowa Corn Growers Association

It’s impossible to talk about Irish food without mentioning the potato. Potatoes were hardy, nutritious and easy to grow in Ireland’s soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet. In this recipe, pairing potatoes with corn and bacon turns it int a bowl of magic. It is creamy, delicious and full of amazing flavors. Find the recipe here. St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn is a festive snack recipe the kids will love.